aAttention MSVPs. USB 2.0 Drivers not recognised - XP is defective !

[Jim Cladingboel]

Could you please, individually or collectively, help with a major problem
in Windows XP Home + SP2?
However often, and in whatever manner I try, XP will not accept
any appropriate USB 2.0 driver for my external HDD. This is the case
both for the latest USB 2.0 driver for my motherboard and for my USB/ PCI
Host Card driver.
The so-called "Update Wizard" just DOESN'T WORK !
It absolutely INSISTS on protecting whatever driver it initially chooses, to
the exclusion of all others!
As XP would not accept the motherboard USB 2.00 driver, or the latest ASUS
version of same, I installed a high speed USB 2.0 PCI Host card with four
ports. When, again and again, I install the drivers from the supplied CD,
the response is always "The Wizard could not find a better match for your
hardware than currently installed".
Which is patently ridiculous!
When I direct XP to a floppy containing these updated Drivers I am told
"The location you specified does not contain any device information files".
At times it even states that the location (Drive A) doesn't exist!

I regularly direct this Wizard to update from the Windows\Inf folder
and from the Windows\System32\Driver folder. While these directions
seem to require the relevant folders to be looked at, I always receive the
same "...could not find a better match .." response.
With this state of affairs recurring time and time and time again, how can
that Wizard be operating correctly?
My mobo has six ports, of which four are designated as USB 2.0. The PCI
card has another four ports.
Infuriatingly, when I insert a flash drive into any of the USB 2.0 ports,
not only does a balloon in the Notification area tell me I am inserting a
2.0 device in a 1.0 port (as if I didn't know!) and to use the hub listed
above, the hub it highlights has FIVE ports! Just what is going on?
XP can't count?

I have used Regedit to check that in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\CurrentVersion the item 'DevicePath' points to '%SystemRoot%\inf',
and have checked that the Windows\INF folder contains the USB.INF file.
What else can I do? I think I've reached the absolute limit.

The transfer speed I get to and from my EHDD is around 7 to 8 MB/second.
It should be around 60 MB/second!

As you are the official Microsoft Windows XP experts in this Help & Support
NG, please respond with the answer to this problem, or take whatever action
may be needed to have Redmond take an urgent look at this impossible
situation and do something - very quickly - about it.

Thank you. Jim.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Jim

What is the motherboard make and model?

This freeware programme is excellent for getting information about
your computer:
Everest Home Edition (freeware)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Tip: To copy select Report, Quick Report, Plain Text, highlight
required text, right click and select copy. However, whilst this is
fine for posting small amounts of information into newsgroup messages
longer reports will irritate other newsgroup subscribers.

General USB troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310575/en-us

Is Windows XP SP2 imstalled? You need at least Windows XP SP1.

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Brian A]

Have you checked the BIOS to see if the USB 2.0 setting is enabled?
Do any USB2 controllers appear in Device Manager?
Have you tried to install the USB2 drivers instead of running the update driver
wizard?
When you point to the floppy with the proper files do you point it to and select the
..inf file needed?


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Jim Cladingboel]

Brian,

Many thanks for your response.

The mobo is an ASUS P4VP-MX with a 2005 BIOS update installed and which came
with a USB 2.0 driver which the O/S will not install. USB 2.0 is Enabled.
DevMan shows a "USB 2.0 Root Hub" which I assume is on the mobo, and a
"Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" which, thanks to the Everest
program suggested by Gerry, must be the NEC uPD720101 US 2.0 Enanced Host
Controller (V1.0) for my PCI card.
Since I first encountered this problem I have tried installing USB 2.0
drivers. They appear in Windows\Inf but, as I have indicated, the fact
that they are there makes no difference to the O/S which will not agree to
actually *use* any one of them.
I have repeatedly tried putting USB 2.0 drivers on a floppy. Whether I then
tell the Wizard to go to Drive A, or list a specific driver on the floppy to
update, the result is alway as in my OP :
"The Wizard could not find a better match for your hardware than currently
installed".
On some occasions, it will state "The location you specified does not
contain any device information files" or alternatively that the location
(Drive A) doesn't exist!
I have directed the Wizard to update from Windows\Inf and System32\Drivers
folders, but with no change.
If I could I identify the MS USB 2.0 driver which came in XP 1.0, I would
try to upgrade to that, but I don't have its name..
I have uninstalled all the USB drivers in DevMan and rebooted, but to no
avail. I am always left with the same old driver, Version 5.1.2600.0 dated
01/07/2001.

All of this has been going on for month after month now, and has left me
completely frustrated, so I sincerely hope you will be able to provide a
solution.

Jim.

 

[Enkidu]

I am always left with the same old driver, Version 5.1.2600.0 dated
01/07/2001.

I've just checked on my son's system and his driver, on a system (SP2)
that works fine, is also version 5.1.2600.0 from that date.

Jim, I don't believe that the drivers are the root of your problem.

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Brian A]

Brian,

Many thanks for your response.

The mobo is an ASUS P4VP-MX with a 2005 BIOS update installed and which came
with a USB 2.0 driver which the O/S will not install. USB 2.0 is Enabled.

Well, mentioning only "2005 BIOS update installed" doesn't mean squat since there
were a few BIOS updates for that board in 2005.

DevMan shows a "USB 2.0 Root Hub" which I assume is on the mobo, and a
"Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" which, thanks to the Everest
program suggested by Gerry, must be the NEC uPD720101 US 2.0 Enanced Host
Controller (V1.0) for my PCI card.

Nope, must not be at all. Unless it shows as an Enhanced USB2 Host Controller,
it's not.
Also, is the add-on card you installed the NEC uPD720101?

Since I first encountered this problem I have tried installing USB 2.0
drivers. They appear in Windows\Inf but, as I have indicated, the fact
that they are there makes no difference to the O/S which will not agree to
actually *use* any one of them.
I have repeatedly tried putting USB 2.0 drivers on a floppy. Whether I then
tell the Wizard to go to Drive A, or list a specific driver on the floppy to

update, the result is alway as in my OP :

"The Wizard could not find a better match for your hardware than currently
installed".
On some occasions, it will state "The location you specified does not
contain any device information files" or alternatively that the location
(Drive A) doesn't exist!

It sounds like you need to make sure the cables are seated/connected
firmly/securely or the drives is on it's way out.

I have directed the Wizard to update from Windows\Inf and System32\Drivers
folders, but with no change.
If I could I identify the MS USB 2.0 driver which came in XP 1.0, I would
try to upgrade to that, but I don't have its name..

According to the Asus support site your board uses VIA USB2 EHCI drivers. I don't
know if you tried the files from Ausus already so I have placed a zip file for them
here.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/inq3.htm

I have uninstalled all the USB drivers in DevMan and rebooted, but to no
avail. I am always left with the same old driver, Version 5.1.2600.0 dated
01/07/2001.

All of this has been going on for month after month now, and has left me
completely frustrated, so I sincerely hope you will be able to provide a
solution.

Let us know how it goes and good luck.

Jim.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Jim Cladingboel]

Thanks, but you didn't say if your son was transferring data at USB 2.0
speeds.
That is about 60 MB/second. That driver is only USB 1.0.

Jim.

 

[Jim Cladingboel]

Brian,

According to Everest, my USB setup is as follows :
Peripherals:
Printer Canon MP800 Series
Printer
USB1 Controller NEC uPD720101 USB
OpenHCI Controller
USB1 Controller NEC uPD720101 USB
OpenHCI Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB
Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB
Controller
USB1 Controller VIA VT83C572 PCI-USB
Controller
USB2 Controller NEC uPD720101 USB
2.0 Enhanced Host Controller (v1.0)
USB2 Controller VIA USB 2.0 Enhanced
Host Controller
Going to the PCI card CD again, it installs Ousb2.inf V.2.14 into
Windows\Drivers.
There is no USB2 EHCI.INF in the Inf folder, but USB2 EHCI.SYS is in the
System32\Driver folder.
There is also a USB2VIA.INF, which is probably the mobo driver.

All cables are secure. As stated, the EHDD works, but only at USB 1.0
level.
Thanks for the .zip link, but this seems to have created the same file
(VIAUSB2VIA.INF ?) which installed after I downloaded
VIA_USB2_V270P1-L-M.zip from ASUS on 04/12/06.
Sorry, but nothing has changed either thru the PCI Card or the mobo.
The O/S will still not update the Mass Storage device to a different driver.

Jim.

 

[Jim Cladingboel]

Brian,

I have read on this NG and elsewhere that my USB 2.0 problem *might* be
resolved by downloading and installing Microsoft.Net - whatever that is.
Would this be worth a try?
I'm desperate for a resolution to this damned problem.

I can't help noticing how many other people have USB 2.0 problems.
I've looked back to a message from Anna dated 10/01/07 where she stated :

These USB non-recognition problems have been vexing all of us for some
time now. We've become increasingly convinced that the relatively large
number of problems in this area involving the non-recognition of USB
devices that we've all been experiencing is an indication that there is
something seriously flawed with respect to either the USB 2.0
specifications, possibly involving quality control issues affecting the
manufacturer of these USB devices as well as supporting components such as
motherboards and other USB-related components. Then too, we've become
increasingly suspicious of the XP OS as it relates to its recognition of
and interaction with these USB 2.0 devices.

We have encountered far too many unexplained problems affecting
detection/recognition of these devices and their erratic functioning not
to believe that something is seriously amiss in this area.

Just what *is* being done? Personally, I am convinced the problem is in
the Update Wizard, where the logic circuits *must* have their wires crossed!
I think Anna hit the bullseye when she wrote of being "...increasingly
suspicious of the XP OS..."

Jim

 

[dcouzin]

Jim Cladingboel, et al.,

Sorry to be joining the strand late. I'm a co-sufferer.

I'm sure that my two USB 2.0 devices did not elicit the XP warning
"HI-SPEED USB Device Attached To non-HI-SPEED Hub" one year ago.
I'm not sure that they were running faster one year ago, but I think
they were.
Microsoft has attached innumerable OS updates during the past year.
Either an update enabled the warning message, which was always true, or
an update caused the problem.

On the face of it, my mother board has 12 USB ports available; 6 are
USB 2.0. Yet my USB 2.0 device is attached to one of the slow-speed
ports. My laptop has just 2 "physical USB ports". So we know that the
association of physical port to onboard port must be accomplished by
software. You'd think that the driver for the device would determine
the association.

According to Wikipedia: the USB 2.0 specification was released in April
2000 and was standardized by the USB-IF at the end of 2001. With these
dates I am skeptical that the Microsoft driver, dated 7/1/2001, XP
finds for my USB 2.0 device is adequate. The driver was written before
the standardization.

I've tried uninstalling USB root hubs having the 6 slow speed ports to
force the device to choose a USB 2.0 port but the device then didn't
work and wouldn't reinstall at all.

This is a maddening problem. There must be thousands of co-sufferers,
and we must hope that Microsoft is not so far past XP that it ignores
to solve the problem for us.

Dennis